Well pump



Al1g- 4, 1964 J. c. GAsLow ETAL 3,143,078

WELL PUMP 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 14. 1962 United States Patent O3,143,078 WELL PUMP Jonathm C. Gaslow, South Gate, Daran B. Harney,

Downey, and Wilbnrn Q. Shepherd, Whittier, Calif.,

assigner-s to Dresser Industries, Inc., Dalias, Tern, a

corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 14, 1962, Ser. No. 179,565 i (lairns.(Cl. 163-87) This invention relates generally to fluid pumps and relatesmore particularly to turbo-lift pumps.

While the invention has particular utility in connection withcentrifugal pumps for oil wells and the like, and is shown and describedin such connection, it is to be understood that its utility is notconfined thereto.

As is well known, various problems and difficulties are encountered inproviding centrifugal pumps for oil wells and the like that will meetthe various conditions found in such wells. For example, difficulty hasbeen encountered in providing suitable balancing means for the turbineand pump unit and it is an object of the present invention to provide aturbo-pump having balancing means which will overcome said difficulty.

It is another object of the invention to provide balancing means for aturbo-lift pump which will operate effectively and will be free of sandor other foreign abrasive materials which have heretofore been a problemin oil well pumps.

it is still another object of the invention to provide apparatus of thischaracter wherein the balancing system discharges into the producedstream, thereby providing increased eiiiciency.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of thischaracter wherein pump speed for most eihcient operation may be readilyprovided.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide apparatus ofthis character wherein special lubricating means is not required.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of thischaracter which is not affected by high temperatures found in manywells.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of thischaracter wherein the speed of the hydraulic driven unit can be variedto make the pump suit the well conditions by adg'usting the drive iluidpressure and capacity.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of thischaracter wherein the unit can be adjusted to provide the mosteconomical pumping system.

in some wells there is a considerable amount of gas produced at varyingquantities and it is another object of the present invention to provideapparatus which will prevent gas locking in such wells.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of thischaracter which does not require a special coupling between the powermeans or motor and the pump.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of thischaracter that is small and compact.

A still further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of thischaracter that is relatively simple in construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of thischaracter that is highly eiiicient and reliable.

Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of thischaracter that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of thischaracter that has a relatively broad range of production capacities.

A still further object of the invention is to provide ice apparatus ofthis character that can operate at maximum efficiency regardless ofchanges in the liquid level in the well.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention are furthersufficiently referred to in connection with the following detaileddescriptionof the accompanying drawings, which represent certainembodiments. After considering these examples, skilled persons willunderstand that many variations may be made without departing from theprinciples disclosed and we contemplate the employment of anystructures, elements, or modes of operation that are properly within thescope of the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of a turbine driven pump unitembodying the present invention installed in an oil well;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the turbine drivenpump unit;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. l but showing an alternativearrangement of the inventiomand FIG. 4 is a similar view showing stillanother alternative arrangement.

Referring more particularly to FIG. l, there is diagrammatically shownoil well apparatus embodying the present invention. A casing il) isshown installed in an oil well andat the upper end of the casing thereis a well head 11. Operably disposed within the casing it) is aturbo-pump, indicated generally at l2, which is of smaller outsidediameter than the inside diameter of the casing, said turbo-pump beingsecured in the casing in any well known manner. The upper end portion ofthe turbopump, indicated generally at 14, is connected to a source offluid under pressure by means of a conduit l5 which extends upwardlyfrom the turbo-pump through the Well head 1l and has a connection 16 atits upper end with a source of pressure fluid. Pressure fluid may besupplied from any suitable well known source, such as a pump, not shown.

The lower portion of the turbo-pump, indicated generally at 18,comprises the pump portion receiving huid from the well through astrainer i9 which extends through a packer 2li which seals off the upperportion of the casing from the lower portion.

Fluid from below the packer enters the pump through the strainer and isdischarged through openings 21 in the casing of the turbo-pump. TheViluid from the pump follows thepathindicated by the broken-line arrows22 and when said iiuid passes from said openings 21 it ows upwardly inYthe space between the turbo-pump and the conduit l5, thence to the wellhead, from which it is discharged through the conduit 24 for dischargein storage means.

Pressure fluid delivered to the conduit 15 flows down through saidconduit to the turbine and drives same which, in turn, drives the pump,as will be more particularly pointed out hereinafter. The power uidcarried down through the conduit 15 to the turbine is dischargedtherefrom through -the openings 2l, the path of said power duid isindicated by the broken-line arrows 26 and the arrows 27. Thisdischarged fluid also ilows upwardly within the casing in the spacebetween said casing and the turbopump and conduit l5, said power iluidand production fluid mingling and flowing to the storage means throughthe conduit 24.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the turbo-pump is shown in greater detail.

Referring to FIG. 2, the turbo-pump 12 comprises a cylindrical case orhousing 30 of smaller outside diameter than the inside diameterfof thewell casing lil. At each end the pump casing or housing 30 is providedwith an enlarged diameter portion 31 which extends inwardly from theadjacent end of said housing and inwardly thereof is an internallythreaded portion 32. At the upper end of said housing there is a turbineinlet head 33 having the same outside diameter as the outside diameterof the pump casing or housing 30, said turbine inlet head having areduced diameter portion 34 having external threads 35 screwed into theadjacent internal threads 32 of the casing 30. Sealing means is providedbetween the reduced diameter portion 34 of the turbine inlet head andthe adjacent enlarged portion of the pump casing or housing 30, saidsealing means comprising an O-ring 36 disposed in an external annulargroove provided therefor in said reduced diameter portion 34. It is tobe understood, of course, that any other suitable sealing means may beemployed.

An internally threaded bore 38 extends downwardly into the turbine inlethead 33 from its upper end for threadable reception of the externallythreaded lower end 39 of the power fluid tubing 15. Below the threadedbore portion 38 there is an extension 40 of said bore below which is areduced diameter recess 41 which has subs-tantially the same diameter asthe internal diameter of the tubing 15, there being a passage 42 whichextends from the recess 41 downwardly and outwardly and opens at thelower end of said turbine inlet head.

Reduced diameter portion 35 of the turbine inlet head is provided with adownwardly extending reduced diameter portion 44 having a recess 45 inthe lower end thereof and there is an annular shoulder 46 which extendsinwardly from the periphery of the reduced diameter portion 34, saidshoulder being normal to the axis of the turbine inlet head 33.

Below the turbine inlet head, indicated generally at 48, which includesan annular body portion or turbine inlet cover 49 fitted within the pumpcasing or housing 3), at its upper end, there is an upstandingperipheral ange 50, the upper end of said flange engaging the shoulder46 of the turbine inlet head.

A cylindrical recess 52 extends downwardly from the upper end of theturbine inlet cover 49 and receives the lower end portion of the reduceddiameter part 44 of the turbine inlet head, the lower end of saidreduced Adiameter portion 44 being spaced upwardly of the bottom of saidrecess 52, to thereby provide a balancing fluid chamber. There is acounterbore 54 in the turbine inlet cover at the upper end of the recess52 to provide a fluid connection between the passage 42 in the turbineinlet head and a passage S which extends downwardly and outwardly of theturbine inlet cover into the annular space 56 between a reduced diameterportion 57 which depends downwardly from the body portion 49 of theturbine inlet cover. An axial bore 58 extends downwardly from thechamber 52. The lower end of the reduced diameter portion 57 is providedwith a shallow recess 59 in its lower end. About -the bore 58 there is araised shoulder 62, the outside diameter of said shoulder being spacedfrom the circumferential wall of the chamber 52, said shoulder 62 beingnormal to the axis of the turbo-pump mechanism.

Chamber 52 has a radially extending outlet passage 63 which terminatesat its outer end in an annular external groove 64 which is in registerwith an outlet opening 65 in the pump casing or housings 30. Opening 65is inclined upwardly and outwardly.

The opposite end of the pump casing or housing 30 is closed by a pumpinlet head 70 which has a reduced diameter portion 71 extending into theadjacent end portion of said casing or housing 30. Reduced diameterportion 71 is provided with external threads 72 screwed into theadjacent internal threads 32 of the casing 30. Sealing means is providedbetween the reduced diameter portion 71 of the pump inlet head and theadjacent enlarged portion of the casing or housing 30, said sealingmeans comprising an O-ring 73 disposed in an external annular grooveprovided therefor in said reduced diameter portion 71. It is to beunderstood, of course, that any other suitable sealing means may beemployed.

Pump inlet head 70 is provided with a threaded or tapped bore 74 whichextends upwardly in said head for threadable reception of an externallythreaded upward end portion or pin 75 of the strainer 19. From the bore74 there is a bore or passage 76 having an outlet portion 77 at theupper end of said pump inlet head.

Both the turbine and the pump may have a plurality of stages, the numberof stages depending on various factors of any particular installation,such as the pressure and capacity of the driving fluid, the rpm., andthe pressure and capacity required of the pumping unit. As shown, theturbine is provided with three stages and the pump is provided withthree stages.

Adjacent and upwardly of the discharge openings 21 there is anintermediate cover 81 and between saidintermediate cover and the turbineinlet cover are covers 82 and 83. Below the intermediate cover 81 thereis a pump discharge cover 84 and between said pump discharge cover 84and the pump inlet head there are covers 85 and 86.

The covers have axially aligned openings therein and have chambers whichhouse the impellcrs of the turbine and pump, respectively, the turbineimpellers are indicated at 88, S9 and 90, respectively in the covers 81,82 and 83, while the pump impellcrs are indicated at 92, 93 and 94 inthe respective covers 84, and 86.

The impellcrs are secured to a shaft 95 arranged axially of themechanism. Each of the impellcrs is provided with a hub portion 96 whichis received in respective openings provided therefor in the covers andsaid impellers are secured to the shaft in the usual well known mannerby impeller locking sleeves 97.

Shaft 95 has an externally threaded upper end portion 98 and below saidthreaded portion 98 is an outwardly extending annular flange 99 spacedfrom said threaded portion 98 and receiving thereon a balancing disc orelement 100, which is disposed in the balancing chamber 52, said discbeing of somewhat smaller external diameter than the internal diameterof said disc and having a depending annular flange 101 which normallyrests on shoulder 62 at the bottom of said chamber 52. Disc 100 also hasa depending reduced diameter portion 103 which extends downwardly in theaxial bore 58 of the turbine inlet cover and is provided with a recess104 in which the hub of the impeller extends. At the upper end of therecess 104 there is a recess provided for the ange 99. A lock nut 108 isscrewed onto the threaded portion 9S of the shaft to secure thebalancing disc on said shaft between the collar or flange 99 and saidnut 108.

The impellcrs are all operably mounted in their respective covers and itwill be noted that while said irnpellers are at a downward position theymay move upwardly a limited amount in their respective impellerchambers, as the balancing disc moves upwardly under pressure at theunder side thereof, as will be more particularly described hereinafter.It is also to be noted that the impeller covers have fluid passagestherein so that power fluid may enter the covers of the turbine so as toact upon the impellcrs thereof and drive the shaft which thereupondrives the pump impellcrs in the pump covers. The pump covers also havefluid passages therein for transmission of uid actuated by the pumpimpellcrs.

When power fluid is forced down the power fluid tubing 15 it passesthrough the portions 40 and 41 of the turbine inlet head, through thepassage 42 therein, into the annular space 54 and thence into thepassage 55 in the turbine inlet cover 49. The fluid thereupon passesthrough the annulus 56 into the rst inwardly extending vaned diffuserpassages of the turbine inlet cover 49 to thereupon act upon theimpeller 90 of the turbine to cause same to rotate. This power fluidthen passes downwardly from the impeller into the space provided IBtherefor in the cover 83 of the next adjacent turbine and outwardly tothe annulus provided therefor as a fluid transfer portion of cover 83.From this annulus the power iiuid ows inwardly through the vaneddiifuser passages or openings provided therefor in the cover 83 to actupon the impeller 89. The iluid follows a similar course to the nextimpeller 88, and thence flows down- Wardly and passes from the turbineportion of the mechanism through the outlet ports 21 and thence upwardlyin the annulus between the turbo-pump casing 30 and upwardly in the wellin the annulus 11i) between the tubing 15 and the casing 10. This fluidthen passes through the well head and out the conduit 24 to a suitablestorage container or the like.

Rotation of the pump impellers will draw production fluid through thestrainer 19, passage 76 of the pump inlet head and outlet opening 77into the central portion of the adjacent impeller 94. The productionfluid will be forced outwardly by the impeller 94 through the outwardlyextending openings provided therefor and into the diffuser annulus withwhich said outwardly extending openings or passages are connected. Fromthe diffuser annulus the duid will flow inwardly again through thepassage in cover 86 into the central portion of the next impeller, 93.The fluid will then be forced outwardly by the impeller 93 and willfollow a similar course to the impeller 92 which will force theproduction lluid outwardly again into the diifuser annulus providedtherefor in the cover 84 and thence such production fluid will owthrough the discharge openings 21 in the casing 3i). The productionfluid discharged by the impeller 92 will mingle in the adjacent annuluswith the power fluid from the impeller 88 and will flow through thedischarge openings 21 with such power fluid. The mixed uid will, ofcourse, follow the same course upwardly that has been described inconnection with the flow of the power fluid to the production head andconduit 24.

Balancing of the mechanism is effected by the transmission of poweriiuid which enters the cover 49 through the inwardly extending portsthereof which are connected with the annulus 56, flows upwardly into therecess 59 of the turbine inlet cover and thence through the spacebetween the portion 163 of the balance disc and adjacent surface of theopening 58 and thence into the annulus 112 in the underside of thedisc'100. It is to be understood, of course, that the part 103 of thebalance disc 1% has a relatively loose tit in the opening 58, so thatthe power fluid may pass upwardly into the annulus 112 and exert anupward force on the disc 169 to balance the downward force of theimpeller mechanism. When the pressure of the power uid in the annulus112 exceeds the downward force of the impeller mechanism the disc 160will be raised sufficiently to permit escape of pressure iluid in theannulus 112 into the chamber 52. The upward movement of the balance disc160 will effect a corresponding upward movement of the shaft 95 and theimpellers attached thereto and when the pressure is relieved in theannulus 112 by such upward movement the shaft and impellers will movedownwardly again to the normal position. Pressure uid that has escapedinto the chamber 52 will pass outwardly through the passage 63, annulus64 and outlet passage or port 65, into the annulus between theturbo-pump and the casing 10, and thence upwardly to the well head andconduit 24. Since the power iluid is free of foreign materials, such aswould have an abrasive effect on the various parts of the mechanism, andsuch power iiuid is used for the balancing mechanism, it will beapparent'that wear on the balancing mechanism of the present inventionwill be at a minimum. It will also be noted that the balancing systemdischarges into the produced stream thereby providing for increasedeiciency of the apparatus or mechanism.

Referring to FIG. 3, the casing`1tl is provided with a plurality ofperforations 129 through which oil will flow into the casing 1t). Thearrangement shown in FIG. 3 requires no packer and the oil and the likeentering the casing 10 through the openings 120 will pass through thestrainer 19 and into the pump portion of the turbo-pump 12. The upperportion of the turbopump mechanism comprises a turbine 14a and the lowerportion 18a comprises the pump. ft is to be noted that the externaldiameter of the turbine 14a is smaller than the outside diameter of thepump 13a and there is a casing 121 which extends downwardly in thecasing 10. Casing 121 is of smaller outside diameter than the insidediameter of casing 16B and the lower end of casing 121 is secured by anysuitable well known means to the upper end of the pump 18a.

Concentrically disposed within the casing 121 is dtis-l posed tubing 124which carries power fluid downwardly into the turbine 14a, the lower endof tubing 124 having a connection at 125 with the upstand-ing conduit126 of the turbine 14a. The connection 125 may be of any suitable wellknown type. Tubing 124 has an outside diameter substantially smallerthan the inside diameter of the casing 121 and is held in concentricposition within casing 121 by arcuate flanges 127 which are annularlyspaced apart on said tubing 124. With this arrangement power ilu-id andproduction fluid are mixed and discharge from the ports`123 of theturbo-pump mechanism and the nuxed fluid rises to the well head in theannulus 13) between the turbine 14a and the tubing 124 `and the casing121, the fluid thus carried to the well head being conducted away to anysuitable disposal point in the usual well known manner.

Referring to FIG. 4, the turbo-pump 12 is similar to that shown in FIGS.l and 2 and the discharge ports 21 discharge the mixed power uid andproduction fluid into ta casing 134 which is secured at its lower end tothe casing of the turbo-pump. Casing 134 may be secured to the casing ofthe turbo-pump by welding or any other suitable means. At its upper endcasing 134 is enlarged by an offset portion 135 and there is a sealingelement 136 in the upper end port-ion of the casing, including the part135. Power fluid is conducted downwardly through the conduit 15 to theturbine and passes through the seal 136 which provides a seal 4aboutsaid tubing to prevent the escape of fluid from the casingpast saidtubing. Communicating with the offset part 135 of the casing, there is adischarge conduit 14) having its lower end extending into the offsetpart 135 of said casing 134 to carry away the uid discharged from theturbine and pump. Seal 135 also provides sealing means to prevent theescape of fluid from housing '134 past the conduit 140. In thisarrangement `a packer yat the lower end of the turbo-pump isunnecessary, as in the case of the arrangement shown in FIG. 3.

The invention vand its attendant advantages will be understood from theforegoing description and it will be apparent that various changes maybe made in the form, construction 'and arrangement or the parts of theinvention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof orsacrificing its material advantages, the embodiments hereinbeforedescribed being merely for purposes of illustration.

We claim:

l. Turbo-ltift apparatus for installation in wells, comprising:

an elongated, hollow, cylindrical housing adapted to be lowered into awell casing;

a first inlet at the top end of said housing for` introduction of powerfluid thereinto;

a second inlet adjacent the bottom end of said housing for intake ofproduction fluid thereinto;

an elongated shaft coaxially rotatably mounted in said housing;

a turbine impeller coaxially secured to an upper portion of said shaft;

a pump impeller coaxially secured to a lower portion of shaft;

means within said housing defining passages for fiow of pressure fluiddownwardly from said first inlet drivingly through said tur-bineimpeller to an intermediate interi-or portion of said housing below saidturbine impeller;

means within said casing defining passages for flow of production fluidupwardly from said second inlet through said pump impeller to saidintermediate interior portion of said housing yabove said pump impeller;

a discharge port extending laterally directly through said housing fromsaid intermediate interior portion of said housing to the exteriorthereof;

and means for balancing axial thrust tending to displace said shaft andsaid impeller therein axially of said housing, including:

a cylindrical chamber coaxially positioned in the upper portion of saidhousing, said chamber having a lower, coaxial entrance bore in com,-munication at its lower end with said first inlet, said entrance borebeing of reduced inside diameter relative to the upper adjoining portionof said chamber, thereby forming an upwardly facing, annular chambershoulder in said chamber surrounding said entrance bore,

a balancing member fixed coaxially on the upper portion of said shaft,said balancing member having an upper disk portion of an outsidediameter greater than the inside diameter of said entrance bore, and adepending cylindrical hub portion of reduced outside diameter relativeto said disk portion, thereby forming a downwardly facing annular diskshoulder at the juncture of said disk and hub portions, said diskportion being positioned coaxially in said chamber with said hub portionextending therefrom coaxially through said entrance bore, whereby thesaid downwardly facing annular shoulder of said disk is positioned oversaid upwardly facing annular chamber shoulder, the axial separationtherebetween being variable in accordance with axial displacement ofsaid balance means and said shaft relative to said chamber,

and duct means connecting the said chamber to the `adjacent exteriorportion of said housing, whereby power fluid may flow from said firstinlet, between said shaft and said bore and through said axialseparation into said chamber and thence out through said duct means,whereby the said disk portion may be subjected to fluid pressure fromsaid first inlet with a resulting axial force thereon which varies inaccordance with the said axial separation of said disk shoulder and saidchamber shoulder as determined by axial displacement of said shaft froma predetermined position relative to said housing.

2. Turbo-lift apparatus for installation in wells, comprising:

an elongated, hollow, cylindrical housing of substantially uniformoutside diameter adapted to be lowered into a well casing;

a first inlet at the top end of said housing for introduction of powerfluid thereinto;

a second inlet adjacent the bottom end of said housing for intake ofproduction fluid thereinto;

an elongated shaft coaxially rotatably mounted in said housing;

a plurality of turbine impellers coaxially secured to an upper portionof said shaft;

a plurality of pump impellers coaxially secured to a lower portion ofsaid shaft;

means within said housing defining passages for flow of pressure fluiddownwardly from said first inlet successively drivingly through saidturbine impellers to an intermediate interior portion of said housingbelow said turbine impellers;

means within said casing defining passages for flow of production fiuidupwardly from said second inlet successively through said pump impellersto said intermediate interior portion ofV said housing above said pumpimpellers;

a discharge port extending through said housing from said intermediateinterior portion of said housing to the exterior thereof;

and means for balancing axial thrust tending to displace said shaft andsaid impellers thereon axially of said housing, including:

a cylindrical chamber coaxially positioned in the upper portion of saidhousing, said chamber having a lower, coaxial entrance bore incommunication at its lower end with said first inlet, said entrance borebeing of reduced inside diameter relative to the upper adjoining portionof said chamber, thereby forming an upwardly facing, annular chambershoulder in said chamber surrounding said entrance bore,

a balancing member fixed coaxially on the upper portion of said shaft,said balancing member having an upper disk portion of an outsidediameter greater than the inside diameter of said entrance bore, therebyforming a downwardly facing annular disk shoulder positioned over saidupwardly facing annular chamber shoulder, the axial separationtherebetween being variable in accordance with axial displacement ofsaid balance means and said shaft relative to said chamber,

and duct means connecting the said chamber to the adjacent exteriorportion of said housing, whereby power fluid may flow from said firstinlet, between said shaft and said bore and through said axialseparation into said chamber and thence out through said duct means,whereby the said disk portion may be subjected to fluid pressure fromsaid fiuid inlet with a resulting axial force thereon which varies inaccordance with the said axial separation of said disk shoulder and saidchamber shoulder as determined by axial displacement of said shaft froma predetermined position relative to said housing.

3. Turbo-lift apparatus for installation in wells, comprising:

an elongated, hollow, cylindrical housing of substantially uniformoutside diameter adapted to be lowered into a well casing;

a first inlet at the top end of said housing for introduction of powerfluid thereinto;

a second inlet adjacent the bottom end of said housing for intake ofproduction fluid thereinto;

an elongated shaft coaxially rotatably mounted in said housing;

a plurality of turbine impellers coaxially secured to an upper portionof said shaft;

a plurality of pump impellers coaxially secured to a lower portion ofsaid shaft;

means within said housing defining passages for flow of pressure fiuiddownwardly from said first inlet successively drivngly through saidturbine impellers to an intermediate interior portion of said housingbelow said turbine impellers;

means within said casing defining passages for flow of production fluidupwardly from said second inlet successively through said pump impellersto said intermediate interior portion of said housing above said pumpimpellers;

a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart discharge ports extendingthrough said housing from said intermediate interior portion of saidhousing to the exterior thereof;

and means for balancing axial thrust tending to displace said shaft andsaid impellers axially of said housing, including:

a cylindrical chamber coaxially positioned in the upper portion of saidhousing, said chamber having a lower, coaxial entrance bore incornmunication at its lower end with said first inlet, and through whichthe upper end of said shaft extends into said chamber, said bore beingof reduced inside diameter relative to the adjoining upper portion ofsaid chamber, thereby forming anupwardly facing annular chamber shouldersurrounding the said upper end of said shaft,

a disk member fixed coaxially to the upper end of said shaft within saidchamber and having an outside diameter greater than the inside diameterof said entrance bore, whereby the lower marginal portion of said diskis seatable upon the said upwardly facing annular chamber shoulder andthe axial separation therebetween is variable in accordance with axialdisplacement of said shaft relative to said housing,

and duct means connecting the said chamber to the adjacent exteriorportion of said housing,

whereby fiuid from said first inlet may fiowV therefrom between the saidshaft and said bore and through said axial separation into said chamberand thence out through said duct, whereby the said disk member may besubjected to fiuid pressure from said first inlet with a resulting axialforce thereon which varies in accordance with the said axial separationof said marginal portion of said disk and said chamber shoulder asdetermined by axial displacement of said shaft from a predeterminedposition relative to said housing.

4. Turbo-lift apparatus for installation in wells, comprising:

an elongated, hollow, cylindrical housing of substantially uniformoutside diameter adapted to be lowered into a well casing;

a first inlet at the top end of said housing for introduction of powerfluid thereinto;

a second inlet adjacent the bottom end of said housing for intake ofproduction fluid thereinto;

an elongated shaft coaxially rotatably mounted in said housing;

a plurality of turbine impellers coaxially secured to an upper portionof said shaft;

a plurality of pump impellers coaxially secured to a lower portion ofsaid shaft;

means within said housing defining passages for iiow of pressure fluiddownwardly from said first inlet successively drivingly through saidturbine impellers to an intermediate interior portion of said housingbelow said turbine impellers;

means within said casing defining passages for fiow of production fluidupwardly from said second inlet successively through said pump impellersto said intermediate interior portion of said housing above said pumpimpellers;

a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart discharge ports extendinglaterally directly through said housing from said intermediate interiorportion of said housing to the exterior thereof;

and means for balancing axial thrust tending to displace said shaftaxially of said housing, including:

a cylindrical chamber coaxially positioned in the upper portion of saidhousing, said chamber having a lower, coaxial entrance bore incommunication at its lower end with said first inlet, and through whichthe upper end of said shaft extends into said chamber, said bore beingof reduced inside diameter relative to the adjoining upper portion ofsaid chamber, but of greater l@ inside diameter than the outsidediameter of said shaft, thereby forming an upwardly facing annularchamber shoulder surrounding the'said upper end of said shaft andproviding a clearance space between said bore and said shaft,

a disk member fixed coaxially to the upper end of said shaft within saidchamber and'having an outside diameter greater than the inside diameterof said entrance bore, said disk having a dependent, peripheral, annularflange, whereby the lower edge of said flange is seatable upon the saidupwardly facing annular chamber shoulder and the axial separationtherebetween is variable in accordance with axial displacement of saidshaft relative to said housing,

and duct means connecting thesaid chamber to the adjacent exteriorportion of said housing, whereby fluid from said first inlet may flowtherefrom through said clearance space between the said shaft and saidbore and through said axial separation into said chamber and thence outthrough said duct, whereby the said disk member may be subjected tofluid pressure from said first inlet with a resulting axial forcethereon which varies in accordance with the said axial separation ofsaid edge of said fiange and said chamber shoulder as determined byaxial displacement of said shaft from a predetermined position relativeto said housing.

5. In turbo-lift apparatus for installation in wells, ap-

paratus comprising:

an elongated, hollow, cylindrical housing adapted to be lowered into awell bore hole, said housing including a cylindrical case;

a first inlet head closing the top end of said case and having a firstcoaxial inlet at the top thereof for introduction of power fiuidthereinto;

a second head closing the bottom end of said case;

said case intermediate said inlet heads being of substantially uniforminside diameter;

a yplurality of separate generally cylindrically shaped turbine coverassemblies axially slidably assembled in coaxially superimposed relationwithin said case, each of said cover assemblies having at Vone endthereof an annular base portion with a coaxially central impellerdischarge opening therein for receiving fluid discharged axially from anadjacent irnpeller, at the other end an annular diffuser portionsurrounding and forming a coaxial, generally cylindrical impellerchamber, and axially intermediate said base portion and diffuser portionan annular separator forming a radial passage portion interconnectingsaid impeller discharge opening and said diffuser portion;

an elongated shaft extending coaxially through said cover assemblies;

an impeller rotatably fixed to said shaft in each of said impellerchambers and formed to receive fluid inwardly from the diffuser portionthereof and to discharge same axially through the impeller dischargeopening of an adjacent base portion;

means Within said first inlet head for conducting power fluid from saidfirst inlet to the diffuser portion of the uppermost one of said coverassemblies;

and a discharge port extending laterally through an intermediate portionof said case communicating with the discharge opening of the baseportion of one of said cover assemblies.

6. ln turbo-lift apparatus for installation in wells, ap-

paratus comprising:

an elongated, hollow, cylindrical housing adapted to be lowered into awell bore hole, said housing including a cylindrical case;

a first inlet head closing the top end of said case and having a firstcoaxial inlet at the top thereof for introduction of power iiuidthereinto;

a second inlet head closing the bottom end of said case and having asecond coaxial inlet at the bottom thereof for intake of productionliuid thereinto, said case intermediate said inlet heads being ofsubstantially uniform inside diameter;

a plurality of separate, generally annular shaped turbine coverassemblies axially slidably assembled in coaxially superimposed relationwithin the upper portion of said case, each of said cover assemblieshaving formed therein a coaxial, generaily cylindrical turbine impellerchamber;

a plurality of generally annular shaped centrifugal pump coverassemblies axially slidably assembled in coaxially superimposed relationwithin the lower portion of said case, each of said cover assemblieshaving formed therein a coaxial, generally, cylindrical pump impellerchamber;

an elongated shaft extending coaxialiy through said turbine and pumpcover assemblies;

a plurality of turbine impellers rotatably fixed to said shaft, one ofeach in each of said turbine impeller chambers;

a plurality of pump impellers rotatably fixed to said shaft, one of eachin each of said pump impeller chambers;

means within the said rst inlet head for conducting power iiuid fromsaid lirst inlet to the uppermost one of said turbine cover assembliesand thence successively drivingly through said turbine cover assembliesand said turbine impellers therein;

means within the said second inlet head for conducting production uidfrom said second inlet to the lowermost one of said pump coverassemblies and thence successively pumpingly through said pump coverassemblies and said pump impellers therein;

and a discharge port extending laterally through an intermediate portionof said case communicating with the discharge of the lowermost one ofsaid turbine cover assemblies and with the uppermost one of said pumpcover assemblies.

7. In turbo-lift apparatus for installation in wells, apparatusaccording to claim 6 in which annular fluid seal means is providedencircling each of said turbine cover assemblies and pump coverassemblies in axially slidable sealing engagement with the insidesurface of said cylindrical case.

8. In turbo-lift apparatus for installation in Wells, apparatuscomprising:

an elongated, hollow, cylindrical housing adapted to be lowered into awell bore hole, said housing including a cylindrical case;

a rst inlet head closing the top end of said case and having a rstcoaxial inlet at the top thereof for introduction of power fluidthereinto;

a second inlet head closing the bottom end of said .case and having asecond coaxial inlet at the bottom thereof for intake of productionfluid thereinto, said case intermediate said inlet heads being ofsubstantially uniform inside diameter;

a plurality of separate, generally annular shaped turbine coverassemblies axially slidably assembled in coaxially superimposed relationwithin the upper portion of said case, each of said cover assemblieshaving formed therein a coaxial, generally cylindrical turbine impellerchamber;

a plurality of generally annular shaped centrifugal pump coverassemblies axially slidably assembled in coaxially superimposed relationwithin the lower portion of said case, each of said cover assemblieshaving formed therein a coaxial, generally cylindrical pump impellerchamber;

said turbine cover assemblies and said pump cover assemblies beingclamped in said coaxially superimposed relation within said case by andbetween said first inlet head and said second inlet head;

an elongated shaft extending coaxially through said turbine and pumpcover assemblies;

a plurality of turbine impellers rotatably fixed to said shaft, one ofeach in each of said turbine impeller chambers; K

a plurality of pump impellers rotatably fixed to said shaft, one of eachin each of said pump impeller chambers;

means within the said lirst inlet head for conducting power fluid fromsaid rst inlet to the uppermost one of said turbine cover assemblies andthence successively drivingly through said turbine cover assemblies andsaid turbine impellers therein;

means within the said second inlet head for conducting production iiuidfrom said second inlet to the lowermost one of said pump coverassemblies and thence successively pumpingly through said pump coverassemblies and said pump impellers therein;

and a discharge port extending laterally through an intermediate portionof said case communicating with the discharge of the lowermost one ofsaid turbine cover assemblies and with the uppermost one of said pumpcover assemblies.

9. In turbo-lift apparatus for installation in wells, ap-

paratus comprising:

an elongated, hollow, cylindrical housing adapted to be lowered into awell bore hole, said housing including a cylindrical case;

a first inlet head closing the top end of said case and having a firstcoaxial inlet at the top thereof for introduction of power fluidthereinto;

a second inlet head closing the bottom end of said case and having asecond coaxial inlet at the bottom thereof intake of production fluidthereinto, said case intermediate said inlet heads being ofsubstantially uniform inside diameter;

a plurality of separate, generally cyiindrically shaped turbine coverassemblies axially slidably assembled in coaxially, end to end,superimposed relation within the upper portion of said case, each ofsaid cover assemblies having at one end thereof an annular base portionwith a coaxially central discharge opening therein for receiving fluiddischarged axially from an adjacent impeller, at the other end anannular diffuser portion surrounding and forming a coaxial generallycylindrical turbine impeller chamber, and axially intermediate said baseportion and diffuser portion an annular separator forming a radialpassage portion interconnecting said central discharge opening and saiddiffuser portion;

a plurality of generally cylindrically shaped centrifugal pump coverassemblies axially slidably assembled in coaxially, end to end,superimposed relation within the lower portion of said case, each ofsaid cover assemblies having at one end thereof an annular base portionwith a coaxially central inlet opening therein for receiving iiuidaxially into an adjacent impeller, at the other end an annular diiTuserportion surrounding and forming a coaxial generally cylindrical pumpimpeller chamber and for receiving tiuid discharged radially from animpeller therein, and axially intermediate said cover portion anddiffuser portion an annular separator forming a radial passage portioninterconnecting said inlet opening and said diffuser portion;

an elongated shaft extending coaxially through said turbine and pumpcover assemblies;

an impeller rotatably fixed to said shaft in each of said turbineimpeller chambers and formed to receive fluid radially inwardly from itsrespective diifuser portion and to discharge same axially through thecentral discharge opening of an adjacent base portion;

an impeller rotatably xed to said shaft is each of said pump impellerchambers and formed to receive uid axially from the central inletopening of an adjacent cover assembly and to discharge same radiallythrough the diffuser portion of its impeller chamber;

means within the said first inlet head for conducting power uid fromsaid rst inlet to the diffuser portion of an upper one of said turbinestator assemblies;

means Within the said second inlet head for conducting production fluidfrom said second inlet to the inlet opening of a lower one of said pumpcover assemblies;

and a discharge port extending laterally directly through anintermediate portion of said case communicating with the dischargeopening of the base portion of one of the turbine cover assemblies andwith the diffuser portion of one of the pump cover assemblies.

10. In turbo-lift apparatus for installation in Wells,

apparatus according to claim 8 in which annular fluid seal means isprovided encircling each of said turbine cover assemblies and said pumpcover assemblies in aXially slidable sealing engagement with the insidesurface of said cylindrical case.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,609,306 Peterson Dec. 7, 1926 1,610,454 Lawaczeck Dec. 14, 19261,811,948 Loomis et al. June 30, 1931 2,726,606 Davidson Dec. 13, 1955FOREIGN PATENTS 244,176 Great Britain Dec. 14, 1925

1. TURBO-LIFT APPARATUS FOR INSTALLATION IN WELLS, COMPRISING: ANELONGATED, HOLLOW, CYLINDRICAL HOUSING ADAPTED TO BE LOWERED INTO A WELLCASING; A FIRST INLET AT THE TOP END OF SAID HOUSING FOR INTRODUCTION OFPOWER FLUID THEREINTO; A SECOND INLET ADJACENT THE BOTTOM END OF SAIDHOUSING FOR INTAKE OF PRODUCTION FLUID THEREINTO; AN ELONGATED SHAFTCOAXIALLY ROTATABLY MOUNTED IN SAID HOUSING; A TURBINE IMPELLERCOAXIALLY SECURED TO AN UPPER PORTION OF SAID SHAFT; A PUMP IMPELLERCOAXIALLY SECURED TO A LOWER PORTION OF SHAFT; MEANS WITHIN SAID HOUSINGDEFINING PASSAGES FOR FLOW OF PRESSURE FLUID DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID FIRSTINLET DRIVINGLY THROUGH SAID TURBINE IMPELLER TO AN INTERMEDIATEINTERIOR PORTION OF SAID HOUSING BELOW SAID TURBINE IMPELLER; MEANSWITHIN SAID CASING DEFINING PASSAGES FOR FLOW OF PRODUCTION FLUIDUPWARDLY FROM SAID SECOND INLET THROUGH SAID PUMP IMPELLER TO SAIDINTERMEDIATE INTERIOR PORTION OF SAID HOUSING ABOVE SAID PUMP IMPELLER;A DISCHARGE PORT EXTENDING LATERALLY DIRECTLY THROUGH SAID HOUSING FROMSAID INTERMEDIATE INTERIOR PORTION OF SAID HOUSING TO THE EXTERIORTHEREOF; AND MEANS FOR BALANCING AXIAL THRUST TENDING TO DISPLACE SAIDSHAFT AND SAID IMPELLER THEREIN AXIALLY OF SAID HOUSING, INCLUDING: ACYLINDRICAL CHAMBER COAXIALLY POSITIONED IN THE UPPER PORTION OF SAIDHOUSING, SAID CHAMBER HAVING A LOWER, COAXIAL ENTRANCE BORE INCOMMUNICATION AT ITS LOWER END WITH SAID FIRST INLET, SAID ENTRANCE BOREBEING OF REDUCED INSIDE DIAMETER RELATIVE TO THE UPPER ADJOINING PORTIONOF SAID CHAMBER, THEREBY FORMING AN UPWARDLY FACING, ANNULAR CHAMBERSHOULDER IN SAID CHAMBER SURROUNDING SAID ENTRANCE BORE, A BALANCINGMEMBER FIXED COAXIALLY ON THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID SHAFT, SAIDBALANCING MEMBER HAVING AN UPPER DISK PORTION OF AN OUTSIDE DIAMETERGREATER THAN THE INSIDE DIAMETER OF SAID ENTRANCE BORE, AND A DEPENDINGCYLINDRICAL HUB PORTION OF REDUCED OUTSIDE DIAMETER RELATIVE TO SAIDDISK PORTION, THEREBY FORMING A DOWNWARDLY FACING ANNULAR DISK SHOULDERAT THE JUNCTURE OF SAID DISK AND HUB PORTIONS, SAID DISK PORTION BEINGPOSITIONED COAXIALLY IN SAID CHAMBER WITH SAID HUB PORTION EXTENDINGTHEREFROM COAXIALLY THROUGH SAID ENTRANCE BORE, WHEREBY THE SAIDDOWNWARDLY FACING ANNULAR SHOULDER OF SAID DISK IS POSITIONED OVER SAIDUPWARDLY FACING ANNULAR CHAMBER SHOULDER, THE AXIAL SEPARATIONTHEREBETWEEN BEING VARIABLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH AXIAL DISPLACEMENT OFSAID BALANCE MEANS AND SAID SHAFT RELATIVE TO SAID CHAMBER, AND DUCTMEANS CONNECTING THE SAID CHAMBER TO THE ADJACENT EXTERIOR PORTION OFSAID HOUSING, WHEREBY POWER FLUID MAY FLOW FROM SAID FIRST INLET,BETWEEN SAID SHAFT AND SAID BORE AND THROUGH SAID AXIAL SEPARATION INTOSAID CHAMBER AND THENCE OUT THROUGH SAID DUCT MEANS, WHEREBY THE SAIDDISK PORTION MAY BE SUBJECTED TO FLUID PRESSURE FROM SAID FIRST INLETWITH A RESULTING AXIAL FORCE THEREON WHICH VARIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THESAID AXIAL SEPARATION OF SAID DISK SHOULDER AND SAID CHAMBER SHOULDER ASDETERMINED BY AXIAL DISPLACEMENT OF SAID SHAFT FROM A PREDETERMINEDPOSITION RELATIVE TO SAID HOUSING.